The Atlantic side of Cat Island is the island's wild face. A series of long, curved beaches run along the eastern shore, backed by low dunes and scrub vegetation. The sand is pink-white, fine, and almost entirely deserted. The water here is rougher than the protected western Bight side, with gentle surf that makes for good swimming when conditions allow.
Most visitors never reach these beaches — they require a walk or drive along unmarked tracks from the main road. This is the point. Take a picnic, bring water, and plan to spend several hours. Sea turtles nest on the quieter stretches from May through October, and shore birds are plentiful year-round. The southernmost beaches near Port Howe are among the most accessible and most beautiful.